Penguin Films creative producer, Roberta Durrant, discovered legendary actor Joe Mafela and gave him the role of Sdumo on the SABC One sitcom Sgudi 'Snaysi.

Joe was the people's person. He was an observer of life. He was not someone who was cracking jokes all the time. He was a content and quite person. That's why I think he was a comedy genius that he was.

— Roberta Durrant, Penguin Films creative producer

He was a very unassuming and humble man.

— Roberta Durrant, Penguin Films creative producer

Sdumo is the role which Mafela will always be remembered for, and had become his household name.

He passed away aged 75 in a car accident on Saturday.

Durrant says she spoke to Mafela on Saturday afternoon when he came back from a holiday with his family.

We had a long chat. It was a terrible shock to me, because it was so sudden. My deepest heartfelt condolences go to his family at this time.